PhD in USA Online (2025-2026): Best, Accredited, No Dissertation Options
Are you search for best PhD in USA online, if yes than here at Top PhD Online we present you the best accredited online and hybrid doctoral programs in the U.S with verified and updated details on tuition cost, format, completion timeline( including fastest PhD Online in the U.S.) with realistic guidance and information about funding and scholarships.
In addition, we highlight free online PhD programs in USA, and what does that means as well link you to the related pages like Fastest Online PhD, Cheapest, N-Dissertation Online Doctorate Programs in the U.S. and fully funded online PhD options to make your search easy.
Why Choose the USA for an Online PhD?
- Global Reputation – First and major factor is that the universities offering U.S. doctoral degrees are recognized and respected worldwide
- Flexible Learning – Most of these Online PhD programs offered by the U.S. universities are 100% online or hybrid formats, often with self-paced options
- ️ Accredited & Research-Rich – Most of the universities are offering same PhD programs online as they offer in their traditional on-campus PhD programs with equal accreditation and recognition.
- Funding Opportunities – Cost is another major factor, most of the universities offer fully funded PhD programs in USA through assistantships or scholarships
- GRE Optional / Waived – Many schools offer admission without GRE
- ️ Accelerated or No-Dissertation Programs – Save time with practical or capstone-based doctorates
- Easy Accessibility – No need of visa other travel documentation requirements.
Best Online PhD Programs in the USA (2025-2026)
Here in this section, we discuss best online PhD programs in the U.S. including fields like Business, Education, Nursing Practice, Criminal Justice and Information Technology and professional online doctorate programs like DBA, EdD, DNP.
Nursing PhD Online/ DNP Online USA (Research Focus)
University (USA) | Program | Typical Pace / Format | Fees (published) | Accreditation Context |
PhD in Nursing | Online + short RISE sessions; 3–5 years (avg. 4.6 yrs) | Per unit (Arizona Online) | Institutional: WSCUC | |
PhD in Nursing | Distance-mediated | In-state rates for distance students | Institutional: HLC | |
PhD in Nursing Science | Online/hybrid | $327.32 (in-state) / $1,234.15 (out-of-state) | Institutional: SACSCOC |
- For more Nursing Online PhD and Online DNP options Please visit: Online PhD in Nursing and DNP Online Programs
- It is highly recommended that you should confirm the programs details from the official website before enrolling in any program.
Psychology PhD Online/ PsyD Online U.S. (Research & Clinical)
University | Program | Typical Pace / Format | Fees | Accreditation Context |
PhD in Clinical Psychology | Distributed (online + residencies) | Per term | APA-accredited | |
PhD in Psychology (100% online) | Fully online; ~60 credits | Per credit, varies by specialization | Institutional: WSCUC (not APA for clinical) |
- For more Online PhD in Psychology or PsyD Online Programs Please visit Online PhD Psychology and Online PsyD Page
- It is highly recommended that you should check the program details before enrollment
Criminal Justice Online PhD in the U.S.
University | Program | Format | Notes |
Nova Southeastern University | PhD in Criminal Justice | Fully online | Dissertation required |
- For More Detailed information on PhD in Criminal Justice Online please visit Online Criminal Justice PhD Program and Criminology PhD Online Page
- It is also highly recommended that you should the updated program details on University’s official website.
Online PhD in IT / Computing in USA
University | Program | Format | Tuition |
Capitol Technology University | PhD in Cybersecurity | Online, research-focused | $975 / credit |
University of the Cumberlands | PhD in Information Technology | Asynchronous online | See doctoral tuition page |
- For more thorough details please visit Online PhD in Information Technology Page
- It is highly recommended that you should confirm the programs details on university’s official website before enrollment.
Online PhD in Education/Online EdD Programs USA
University | Program | Format | Notes |
Texas Tech University | PhD in Technical Communication & Rhetoric | Online cohorts; summer intensives | Public tuition |
Indiana State University | PhD in Technology Management | Online consortium model | HLC-accredited public program |
- For more information on Online Education PhD and Online EdD programs please visit our page Online PhD in Education and EdD Online
- It is highly recommended that you should confirm the programs details on university’s official website before enrollment.
Top Online DBA Programs in the USA
| University | Program | Format | Duration | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida (Warrington) | DBA | Hybrid (executive weekends + online modules) | 3 years | AACSB |
| George Fox University | DBA | Online + short on-campus residencies | 3–4 years | AACSB |
| California Baptist University | DBA | 100% Online | 3 years | WSCUC |
| City University of Seattle | DBA | Online | 3 years (typical) | NWCCU |
| University of Dallas | DBA | Hybrid executive | 3 years | AACSB |
- For more AACSB-accredited and fully online business doctorate options, explore our Online DBA Programs page
- It is highly recommended that you should confirm the programs details on university’s official website before enrollment.
Compare Online PhD Options in the USA
| Program Area | Example University | Format | Typical Duration | Accreditation Highlight | Estimated Tuition* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business (DBA) | University of Florida | Hybrid (executive + online) | 3 years | AACSB | ~$85,000 total |
| Education (PhD / EdD) | Indiana State University | Online consortium | 3–4 years | HLC | ~$30,000–$40,000 |
| Psychology (PhD) | Fielding Graduate University | Distributed (online + residencies) | 4–5 years | APA | ~$65,000+ |
| Nursing (PhD / DNP) | UCF / Missouri | Online / hybrid | 3–5 years | CCNE / Regional | ~$25,000–$45,000 |
| IT / Cybersecurity (PhD) | Capitol Technology University | 100% Online | ~3 years | MSCHE | ~$45,000 |
*Tuition estimates are based on published rates for typical completion timelines. Always verify with the institution for up-to-date costs.
Free PhD Programs Online” in the USA — What’s Realistic
If you are in search of fully free PhD online Programs in the U.S. than unfortunately there are no regionally accredited Universities that offers Free PhD programs online though there are universities in the U.S. that offers tuition free online doctorate and PhD programs, as well there are some realistic options available to reduce the cost of your online doctorate or PhD Programs significantly.
- Funded on-campus PhDs (assistantships, fellowships, tuition waivers + stipends).
- Low-tuition online doctorates at public universities like UCF and Mizzou, often eligible for employer tuition support.
- Tuition-free institutions like University of the People offer affordable prep degrees but do not grant doctorates.
Cheapest PhD in USA Online Programs
As discussed above there are no fully free PhD and Doctorate Programs Online available in the U.S. that are accredited too, but several universities are offering cheapest PhD in USA online reducing the cost of total education significantly. The pro tip is to look for public universities that are offering transparent online tuition structure or private universities offering flat-rate pricing.
For your convenience we highlighted some of the best accredited but cheapest online PhD programs in the USA almost in all major fields.
Top Affordable Online PhD Programs in the USA
University | Program | Tuition (per credit / year) | Notes |
University of Central Florida (UCF) | PhD in Nursing Science (distance) | $327.32 (in-state) / $1,234.15 (out-of-state) | Transparent public rates |
University of Missouri (Mizzou) | PhD in Nursing | In-state rates for distance learners | Strong online infrastructure |
University of the Cumberlands | PhD in IT | Low flat doctoral tuition | Fully online, flexible |
Capitol Technology University | PhD in Cybersecurity | $975 per credit | Tech-focused research programs |
- For a broader list of low-cost programs by subject and format, visit our Cheapest Online PhD Programs Section
- It is highly recommended that you should check the all updated Program details on the university’s official website before enrolling
No-Dissertation Online Doctorates in the USA
Many professionals prefer no dissertation online doctorate programs, and there are several universities in the USA who are offering Online Doctorate Programs without Dissertation in the U.S. especially in the fields like Education, Business, Nursing and Psychology. These universities may require applied capstone projects, portfolios, or project-based alternatives in replacement of traditional dissertation. For your convenience we highlighted some of the most popular and in demand no-dissertation Online Doctorate Programs in the USA including Online DBA, EdD Online, DNP Online and PsyD Online.
University | Program | Format | Dissertation Alternative |
Capella University | DBA / EdD / DNP | Online + residencies | Applied capstone projects |
University of the Cumberlands | EdD | Online | Capstone / applied research |
Various Leadership & Nursing Doctorates | Varies | Online/Hybrid | Portfolios or applied projects |
* For more detailed information by discipline, visit our No-Dissertation Online PhD page.
Fastest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in the USA
Many Professionals feels long format of PhD Programs a big hurdle and difficult to manage, for their convenience and meet their requirements many universities around the USA are offering fastest PhD and Doctorate Programs Online with shortest of completion time. These accelerated online doctorate programs like post-master’s programs, executive formats and flexible pacing provides students to finish their doctorate online fast and quick.
Fastest Online Doctorate Programs in the USA
University | Program | Minimum Duration | Format |
Capitol Technology University | PhD in Cybersecurity | ~3 years | Online, flexible |
Missouri State University | Post-MSN DNP | 5 semesters (~20 months) | Online |
Georgetown University | Executive DNP | ~20 months | Hybrid executive |
University of the Cumberlands | IT / Education doctorates | 2.5–3 years | Online, rolling admissions |
*Explore more Fast Online Doctorate Options including U.S. by subject area on our Fastest Online PhD Programs page.
Fully Funded & Affordable PhD Options in the USA
Cost is another big factor- with not anymore as many U.S. Universities are offering mulitple fully funded online PhD programs:
- University of the People – Tuition-free + need-based scholarships
- Texas Tech & Others – Research/teaching assistantships available
- Federal Aid (FAFSA) – Available for most accredited programs
- Scholarships for international students – Many universities reserve funding for global applicants
International Distance PhD Alternatives (Outside USA)
f you feel that the Online PhD and Doctorate programs in the USA are not matching your career goals or other requirements like budget, flexibility or accessibility than there are plenty of international online Doctorate and PhD options are available that are not only accredited but offers lower tuition rates, flexibility and better research focused options. Below are some of these International accredited and best online PhD programs for your review:
International Distance PhD and Online Doctorate Options
Country | University | Distance Option | Indicative Cost | Notes |
UK | University of Portsmouth | PhD by Distance Learning | ~£2,356/year (varies) | Fully remote |
UK | University of Leicester | PhD by Distance Learning | £3,942–£5,913/year | Multiple subjects |
UK | University of Birmingham | Distance PhD (selected fields) | Varies | Distance options available |
- For more best Online PhD and best doctorate online programs from different countries around the world including Germany, UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa please visit our Online PhD and Doctorate Programs by Country Page
Yes! Many of the accredited and reputed U.S. universities are offering Online Doctorate programs equally available for international students with fully online PhD formats.
Yes, many universities in USA are offering either fully or partial funded online PhD programs through assistance ship and institutional scholarships.
Absolutely. Many Universities in USA are offering fully online PhD and doctorate programs open for the international students.
Yes — like University of the People, which is tuition-free with only minimal fees.
No, PhD in USA online programs are not fully free. However, many on-campus research PhDs offer full funding packages (tuition waivers + stipends), and some online programs offer scholarships, assistantships, or employer tuition support. Public universities often have the lowest online tuition rates, making them cost-effective options.
There are no fully free accredited PhD online programs in the USA. Be cautious of unaccredited providers offering “free online PhD” degrees. Instead, look for fully funded on-campus programs or low-cost public university online options such as UCF or Mizzou.
Yes — when offered by regionally accredited universities and designed for your career goals. For example, Fielding Graduate University offers the only APA-accredited distributed clinical PhD in psychology, while universities like Capitol Tech, UCF, and Indiana State offer respected online doctorates in IT, Nursing, and Education.
Some accelerated or executive programs can be completed in 2–3 years, especially post-master’s routes. Examples include Capitol Tech’s PhD in Cybersecurity (~3 years) and Georgetown’s Executive DNP (~20 months). Choosing asynchronous delivery and frequent start dates helps shorten completion time.
Public universities typically offer the lowest per-credit tuition for online graduate students. For example, UCF Online charges ~$327 per credit for Florida residents. Mizzou and University of the Cumberlandsalso offer affordable online doctorates in nursing and IT.